A Girl's Battle

The loud, powerful, and unrelenting outburst of energy came straight at her. Himiko remembered the first part of her training.

In a conflict between souls, you'll always find an opening.

Her less-flexible frame curled inward, favored her right, and embraced the crude, smooth cement. She dodged his attack. She couldn't say she got out unscathed, but she could move and that's what mattered.

The airborne carbon muddled Bakugou's vision. Himiko remembered the second part of her training.

Make your opponent's eyes and ears turn away, then complete the following in its appropriate order:

Hold your breath ...

Clear your mind ...

And ...

Disappear.

As if pulled by an artistic liberty, she maneuvered zig-zag within the opaque, smoky curtain. The tendrils of tampered piloted her. She was behind him. She took her moment and a theatric - almost chaotic - state took over.

"Was it fun, Kacchan?"

It was a quick inhalation and it was all Himiko needed to hear. Her instigation surprised him. Hips and shoulders considered, Bakugou's body targeted hers in a crafty panache. He activated his quirk with a backfiring "pop, pop, pop" that reverberated off the stadium like a symphony.

She ignored her accumulating injuries. She ignored Present Mic's commentary. She ignored the rigging in her ears. In lieu of her senses, she set her technique on replay. The taunts continued.

"Bullying someone like me - what's my little nickname - 'useless Deku?' ... What was that like? Was it fun? ... Was it a total rush for you?"

Ka-BOOM

"He told you? What did that scum say to you? And how the hell are you- ...?" He spoke lowly. The hazy, suspended aftermath begged to dissipate.

Within the remnants of his smokescreen, Izuku by proxy finished his question, "... Hiding myself?" A giggle, "Well, it's easy, especially when it involves a victim so narrow minded."

The explosive boy circumvented her propinquity. He created distance using the ambit from his quirk as a safeguard. The smoke bellowed, "Don't play coy with me, you eyesore! You have no idea who you're up against!"

His method didn't help and she didn't stop, "It must've been hard when it all changed... Watching a nobody become a somebody ... Still, you've been dealt a perfect quirk ... a perfect life. You know your place, so why? ... Why did someone like you waste your valuable time on somebody like me?"

Bakugou's explosions became pin-pointed and smarter. Himiko needed to play her next hand. He was starting to peak and his anger would reinforce him - and not in the way that was in her favor. But soon, it would. Patience was a kind virtue. She just needed to keep moving and get him where it stung.

Bakugou revolved on an axis. Himiko could hardly blink. He declared, "I'm not gonna fall for this shitty stunt forever! Stun Grenade!"

Bakugou's hot and incapacitating bravado unexpectedly quelled her rampage. This was how it was going to be. It was a tug-of-war right now. Her words were spoken and his actions were forthcoming. This couldn't become a match of power, because if that were the case, Bakugou would win. Their contest needed to be of speed. She knew his weak point. She had to keep purporting herself. She had to stay one step ahead. She needed to keep on digging.

Dig, dig, dig!

She caught his booted foot and he stumbled. He was fast, but she was also fast. Yes, this was a battle of speed.

"Guh-"

Himiko took her chance with ludicrous vehemence. Face-down, she pinned and bound him beneath her, thankful for Izuku's strength. She methodically took the weaponized, open-faced side of his hands and dug them into the lower crevice of his back. She pressed as hard as she could fathom, then pressed even harder. She pressed into him so hard she almost cringed. Bakugou ground and gnashed his teeth.

"Messy, sloppy, unbalanced. You're never like this, Kacchan. But I guess wimpy guys are the most short tempered, now that I think about it. Tell me. Is something bothering you? Is something just tugging away inside of you?" She whispered closely.

"Shut up," He hissed. She felt his body heat.

"Do you want to know the best part of all?" Himiko flushed. She leaned closer, eyes wide and practically losing her sanity, "I'm gonna fight you quirkless."

"Shut... the... fuck... up!"

He didn't even think about thinking about it. Bakugou ignited on himself. The shock loosened Himiko's grip and he took his leverage. He unevenly erupted and the duelers skyrocketed from the blast zone. He screeched nasty platitudes.

"-Always following me around like some kind of fucking parasite. And then it all changed- god damn it. You really think you're hot shit, huh Deku?"

Himiko gasped. A weightless feeling she was unused to left her vulnerable. Even considering a relative immunity to his quirk, Bakugou wasn't omnipotent. A direct explosion to his own body was ruthless.

She swore she had him. Bakugou would literally risk injury to prove a point? Had he lost his mind?

Bakugou growled, took advantage and twisted, his arm nonlinear while seizing his opponent. He moved his anger gracefully between them, propelling her into a violent carousel of prompted outrage. At the perfect amount of centrifugal force, he dispatched. Himiko's descent for the ground accelerated.

"Ah!"

Himiko made contact with the earth. The cement crumbled and she screeched in anguish. Miraculously, she was left in the ring. She knew Bakugou was in control of that. He wanted a win on his own terms. He wanted Deku to experience sheer utter defeat.

"Now, know your place and die!" Bakugou ordered desperately as he pursued her.

No, this was a battle of speed!

Himiko stabilized, stepped and squatted. Izuku's quirk activated. She pushed herself on the surface beneath, delegating borrowed muscle memory to her legs and feet. Leaving a winded cyclone in her wake, she took for the uncomfortable sky without recoil. She sought Bakugou full throttle and the quirk inside her distributed. It was the first time she'd use her fists in Izuku's form, but she had to do it. Instead of bracing herself, she attempted to flow with the godly power. It was too much to handle and something limited her. Her heart pounded and her mind ran wild. She lost focus.

'No!'

As her fist made contact with Bakugou's gut, pain consumed her dominant hand. No wonder Izuku could barely use his quirk. The sensation was hellish, and the collateral damage brought tears to the corners of her eyes.

But she had to keep digging. Dig, dig, dig!

"It was the day by the river, wasn't it?" Himiko cried mid-punch, "It was the day somebody showed actual compassion for you!"

Bakugou wheezed.

"You took that as an insult. Not everyone is like that. Not everyone is a threat to you or out to get you!"

'I was just like you, once. But ... everyone ... I found friends ... people I could come to trust and love!'

They equally lost the battle to gravity.

"Don't act like you know me! You don't know shit about me!" In a war cry, Bakugou grappled and grabbed Himiko by her green hair. He pulled her closer until striking her face with an abrupt explosion. He ignored their plummet as he delighted his truth.

Himiko deflected him and cursed. The girl-turned-boy took his volatile hand in her injured one and grasped the inside of his mouth with her free thumb. She tugged hard at the skin, "I do know, because you only act towards people who matter to you! That's not how you deal with it, though!"

Himiko could feel him prepare his quirk, his pause lying in their closeness and something else she was unable to gauge. He bit down on her as he threatened, "I swear I'll-"

They landed in a heap. Before Himiko could scramble away, Bakugou blasted. The gasping air pushed her. She rolled and struggled to stand. Himiko was far-more injured than Bakugou, but they equally needed a moment to grasp reality.

"Your- your desires are unscrupulous. A hero is supposed to touch hearts! Talent can only take you so far!" She screamed hoarsely and pushed.

"You're one to fucking talk!" Bakugou rebutted. His hot blooded stance widened while preparing a forward, unwavering spite, "How can someone who doesn't know if they want to be a hero tell me what it means to be one? Don't screw with me!"

Himiko paused, cautious to start her gait. She was compromised. Bakugou turned the tables. Just like that, he was aware, dexterous, and untouchable. He wasn't looking at Izuku. He was looking at her. She clenched, activating Izuku's quirk once again.

"Even now, saying earlier that you'd fight me quirkless. You've been using your quirk this whole time! It's all a grand fucking scheme. I can handle Deku, because he's- ... but someone like you-" He shook. His leered and his voice cracked, "... How? How do you keep on winning? Why do you stay one step ahead of me? I don't understand! This is all I ever wanted!"

There it was. It finally peaked. Bakugou questioned her while justifying something within himself. It was a preview into his emotions. A rare feebleness and complexity that inherently tarnished his character. Himiko wanted to cradle it. Before she could do that, she needed to expose it.

Himiko sunk her weight between her knees. Her silence was a beat too long, as it seemed to spur him on.

"You got nothin' got say to me, huh? It doesn't matter anyways. I'm gonna defeat you. I'm going to take my rightful place as number one. I'll win indisputably, Toga!" Bakugou's quirk expelled and he thrusted.

Himiko made her move. The preceding events changed, but the pieces to her plan lingered haphazardly. Milliseconds before their skirmish, Himiko's lower half withdrew. Her mouth opened wide. Her aim was precise and accurate, like fine thread through a needle. His aim was robust and unforgiving, like a stampede of prideful purpose. Equal footing, yet so different. They were so agile, so concise, so perfectly imperfect, they replenished the others' faults by omission.

It was a battle of mental fortitude.

A droplet of blood entered Himiko's mouth. She screeched to a halt at the boundary edge.

Eyes wide, Bakugou covered his gouged ear cartilage.

"I'm not like you at all. I lack confidence, I'm impulsive, I'm uncertain, and I ... should learn to speak for myself," Himiko crept into a smile. Her quirk responded, "but I know those parts of me. And because I know them, I can be with them and improve myself. That's why- ... I decided! I'm going to learn more and more about myself, because I want to get better! That's the only way I can get better. And I can't help that you can't see that, you big... stupid... dummy!"

"You-" Bakugou growled, his priority strengthening and emulating.

There was still time left. It was imprudent, but Himiko went for it. She went straight at him. Time wasn't on her side; only adrenaline. There was no other option.

Like a human projectile, Bakugou engaged, and once Himiko saw the look on his face, she forgot the countdown to her transformation. The brevity of darkness finalized her shape-shift.

"So how about, before you go criticizing others..." As Bakugou's copy, Himiko declared, "you take a good fucking look at yourself!"

He hesitated and detonated.

She ignited as far as she could comprehend.

Cementoss intercepted with his quirk.

The inelastic upheaval of emotion, kinetic energy, broken cement, and shockwave graced the stadium. Himiko's body soared like a comet. She renounced her grand finale.

Her back collided with the unforgiving wall. Her quirk deactivated. For the last and umpteenth time, the carbonized air cleared, allowing itself to dramatically reveal the one who stood on top.

And there he was.

'What...?'

Bakugou was still in bounds. He was left standing - no. Wrong. He'd barely moved. As if this was nothing. As if what had transpired between them was child's play.

He stared back at her with a nuance Himiko didn't understand - but when had she ever understood him?

Himiko heard the cracking of a whip. Her mentor, who was previously out of mind, announced, "Toga-san is out of bounds."

Himiko looked to her palms and studied the indentures of her skin. That's right. She made an erroneous move. She played a fatal game. Bakugou's explosion quirk was complex. Its mechanics lacked the elemental simplicity of Todoroki's fire-and-ice and the straightforwardness of Midoriya's super strength. It was a double-layered ability that necessitated fine adjustment, output, and tact. It was a quirk fit for a genius. There was no way she could've channeled it blindly.

"For the eighth and last match of the first round, Bakugou-kun wins!"

'No... No, no! I messed up... It wasn't enough.'

The crowed reacted and Himiko relinquished. It was over. She lost. She lost! She failed. She was a failure. Any success so far was a result of sheer luck and compatibility. That's all there was to it.

'It wasn't enough.'

Her mind transitioned to normalcy. She recollected that seconds ago moment. The way Bakugou looked at her. The way he hesitated at himself. It was specific - right there on display. So close, so unrestrained, so unfathomable. It pleaded, ached to surface. It'd left such an impression on her that it made his quirk seem docile in retrospect.

What was Katsuki Bakugou fighting for? He fought for himself. His passions, his dreams, his motivations and affirmations. Winning? Yes. Crystal clear with hints of mud. A stubborn, lucid, uncleanable muddiness. One that couldn't be simply wiped away.

What was Himiko Toga fighting for? Herself? No. Winning? No. Losing? No.

They couldn't have been more different.

'It wasn't... enough...'

Half-lidded, her eyes met his.

'It wasn't... it wasn't enough...' She reached out. She reached out to him, searching. The aching movement nearly compelled her to cry. She reached, trembled, and pled, just like he had wanted to. In that regard, she won. She begged, "It wasn't... it wasn't enough. It can't end here. I want to understand. Bakugou-kun, please."

Her consciousness faded.

"I... want... to know... that feeling..."

She surrendered.

'Wow, Kacchan!'

'This is too easy!'

'You can read the characters for 'Izuku' as 'Deku,' you know. And 'Deku' means someone who can't do anything!'

'Keep going and you'll surpass All Might one day! I'm proud of you, Katsuki.'

'You are? Do you mean it?'

'Wow! Lucky! That's so cool! That's an amazing quirk! It's a flashy quick just right for a hero. Right, Katsuki?'

'That's right. I'm amazing! No one is as amazing as me!'

'Are you all right? Can you stand?'

'Congratulations, Young Bakugou. You earned second place on the U.A. entrance exam. Take that accomplishment in great stride!'

'Hah? Hold the phone. Second place? What the-? Who the hell beat me?'

'My 'Deku' means 'You can do it!''

'You bullies are all the same.'

'I want to become a hero because I want to be number one. I'm going to beat every single one of you. That's all.'

'I want to be a hero like All Might, who always saves people with a smile.'

'I don't know if I want to become a hero!'

'Then what the actual fuck are you doing here?'

'As long as I better myself, I'm a true winner.'

'I can handle Deku, because he's- ... but someone like you...'

'So how about, before you go criticizing others, you take a good fucking look at yourself!'

"For the eighth and last match of the first round, Bakugou-kun wins!"

Finally. This was exactly what he'd wanted to hear. This tit for tat inside of him would finally die - right here, right now. He won. He was the winner. He stood on top. He proved it. But to who?

And who the fuck did she think she was, reaching out for him like that? After he restored his pride?

Fuck. It was contradictory and one-sided. It was oil and vinegar. It blended for a fleeting moment, but before it became its own, it separated. His ingenuity never betrayed him, so why? Why didn't he understand? Why was his win so dissatisfying?

He stood a little taller. His shoulders relaxed.

What makes a rival, a rival?

In rivalry, there needs to be mutual competition. A solidarity. A common goal. A common passion. A common objective. A common conviction. Deku wanted to become a hero, so shitty Deku was a shitty rival. Icy Hot wanted to become a hero, so Icy Hot was a slightly stronger shitty rival. Toga wanted none of that, but she pissed him off. He was royally pissed that someone with such halfhearted views managed to beat him.

'This is all I ever wanted!'

If it wasn't obvious earlier, this battle confirmed it. Toga's ideals were convoluted and didn't coincide with his. So why did she challenge him so meaningfully? Why did she carry such a fervor and passion that nearly superseded his? No, fuck all that noise. Why did he waste his time challenging her? Why was he so hung up? Indifference was worse than hate. In hindsight, he should've known better.

No, this wasn't an "end" to anything. Death was infinite. There wasn't any closure to this... this... whatever the fuck this turned out to be.

His shoulders tensed.

And then, as icing on the proverbial cake, there was another thing. And the more he tried to shove it away, the more it kept pushing back. Paramount and subtle. Fuck. Again, contradicting. Just like her ... Fuck. It wouldn't stop. Fuck. His neck craning. His ears listening. His eyes ... himself ... always seeking ... time and time again ...

Fuck.

Fuck.

Fuck!

In the narrow passage between the stands and main stage, Nemuri Kayama watched her colleague, Cementoss, mark his finishing touches on the fighting arena. After Toga and Bakugou's battle, the scorched area was the definition of devastation and needed a complete overhaul. The simultaneous heroine and teacher remembered her earlier conversation.

'I'm sorry, Himiko. There are certain rules I can bend, or possibly turn the other cheek, but using your quirk before your match is not one of them.'

'I know I'm asking for a lot, Sensei, but please. It's the only way. I need to get through to him!'

'I don't think I've ever seen you this desperate. You want to win that badly?'

'I... I just know I need your help.'

"Don't get me wrong, I adore a good groveling. ... All of that and she still lost, huh?" Midnight spoke to her lonesome. She sighed in disappointment. She placed her cuffed wrist over her hip, ready to massage her temple with the other.

"A jack of all trades is a master of none."

"Wha- where did you come from?" Midnight jumped.

Aizawa grunted. Had he been in good health, he would've stuffed his hands in his pockets. He slouched and surveyed the damage alongside her. "I'm not surprise at the outcome."

"You're not?" Nemuri raised a brow.

"It became clear Toga used her experience from Todoroki's battle to go against Bakugou. There was a pitfall to her plan. Bakugou is more driven. Todoroki's powerful and a force to be reckoned with, but he allows his personal matters to adversely affect his abilities. Bakugou compartmentalized and prioritized the task at hand. He must've learned a thing or two during his fight with Midoriya at Hero Basics."

Midnight hummed, "Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves that we're dealing with kids here. They have a lot of growing up to do."

"Kids or not, the students need a concrete goal and a strong sense of vocation. One can't climb it with lackluster feelings or reasons that aren't selfless," The erasure hero added. "Toga has a solid goal, but it's not one that requires her to become a hero, which brings her to question herself and therefore sets a limit. Bakugou's desire is to be the number one hero, but his reasons are self-centered and will be under appreciated by the public. But it's respectable to a degree where it's socially absolved. Take Endeavor as a prime example. Heroism is a career first and foremost. If Toga doesn't apply herself with that in mind, she'll fall behind the rest of the class, or worse."

"Hold on a second. You're not saying what I think you're saying, Aizawa?"

"These are my students and I need to look at this professionally."

"I can't speak for the others, but Himiko's beginning to make choices and decide for herself," Midnight glowered and argued. "That's why I let her use her quirk before her match. We need to give it more time."

"Time is a leisure heroes can't afford."

"You can't seriously be telling me this after all I've been through - after all we've been through - with her. I can't just abandon her like that."

"No one said anything about abandonment."

"It's insinuated!"

"Kayama-"

"Don't spout this nonsense to me. Where is this suddenly coming from? Himiko is meant to be a hero. She must become one!"

"That's your opinion, Kayama," Aizawa criticized. "Are you guiding or conditioning her?"

The 18+ hero reacted to her colleague and long-time friend's change of voice. A harsh reality steered itself back in place. Aizawa truly brought out the best and worst in her, and to her disdain, the latter carried the spotlight. This was getting complicated and intrusive for her liking.

Still...

"... Have I ever told you I always wanted children?"

"Multiple times," Aizawa answered bluntly.

"Then pretend I never did, I'm having a moment!" She huffed, tensed, and continued, "That part of me never changed, you know. After learning Shimura Nana's story, I needed to decide whether I wanted to continue my calling as a hero, or settle down and start a family. I knew I couldn't have my cake and eat it, too. I was torn. In time, I made my choice. I once thought the gratification of saving lives would overtake my desires, but it simply deferred them. Then..."

"Then?"

"Hitomi's incident."

"..."

"It became my silver lining. That sounds horrible, doesn't it? My cake was in front of me and I could eat it. And whether I was aware of it or not, I started taking care of Himiko as my own. And who doesn't want the best for their own? No matter how you look at it, underlying my actions are ulterior motives. Himiko wouldn't be here if I wasn't in the picture. All this time I've been ... projecting my views on her."

"..."

"I might've been doing more harm than good, Aizawa."

"Change starts with recognition. You need to take into consideration the repercussions of your guidance moving forward - as a mentor and nothing more."

"That's..."

"The boundaries of mentorship are unclear compared to that of a teacher. Throw your familial relations into the mix and they become more ambiguous. I'm sure it's not easy." Aizawa confessed offhandedly, "I'll find that out soon for myself."

"Ugh! I don't want to go on. More importantly, when have you become so quotable? It's disconcerting and you sound like an old man." Nemuri raised an eyebrow and gained control of their conversation. This was the way she liked it. The woman was never one to keep things serious and she was afraid of taking it further. To even bring up Hitomi ... when was the last time that happened? Damn Aizawa.

Aizawa read the mood, "Principle Nezu is going to be upset. You made a promise to him that you wouldn't use favoritism as the umpire. You've done it a few times for one reason or another."

"Oh, it'll be fine, it'll be fine," Nemuri dismissed him. "He's with the third years, so I'm sure I'll-"

"Kayama Nemuri-san! Here you are," A chipper voice spoke as if on cue. The bear mouse principle strolled in with his hands behind his back. He then waved in costumed pleasantry as a disgruntled energy surrounded him.

Kayama went pale.

"I've looking all over for you. A little bird told me you'd been rather unfair the first round."

"Kan Sekijiro, you snitch!" Nemuri cursed under her breath.

"Why don't you come with me and we'll have a little chat, hm?"

"Midoriya-kun!"

"Midoriya!"

"Deku-kun!"

"Midoriya-chan!"

Todoroki and Midoriya's battle was, as cliche as it sounded, one of epic proportion. The utilization of Midoriya's legs proved useful but were imperfected. In turn, he reverted to his hands; specifically, his fingers. Himiko shuddered during every flick. Regardless, the two performed an immeasurable match which left the entire stadium mesmerized. There was no doubt about it. These were the powers of true pro heroes. Flashy and idolizing and iconic. Midoriya was amazing and Todoroki was amazing.

In the end, Todoroki won by a hairs breath, but not before leaving his opponent critically injured. It was a similar desperation Himiko remembered during their first official interaction. Himiko prevented herself from wallowing on the details. She struggled to remain in the present moment, solely wanting to ensure her friend's well being. Friend. That's right, Midoriya was her friend. One of the first friends she ever made and one who showed her the meaning of friendship. The word still felt foreign as her heart went all a flutter.

"You scared me..." Yagi put his hand against his chest.

Himiko recognized Midoriya's teacher and bowed inconspicuously. She repeated the gesture to Recovery Girl. Uraraka also greeted them.

"You're all so noisy," Recovery Girl criticized in a huff.

"Everyone, what about the next match?" Midoriya weakly questioned.

"Since there was a lot of damage to the stage, they're taking a break to repair it," Iida gesticulated.

"You dare worry Mistress, Midoriya!" Mineta hissed, "Unforgivable! I hex you, do you hear me? Hexxxxx!"

"Mineta-chan, that's not why we're here," Asui smacked him.

"Be quiet, now!" Recovery Girl scolded, "I know you're worried, but I've got to do surgery now."

"Surgery?" Everyone gasped.

"Go on now, get out of here!"

"B- but," Uraraka cried.

"Surgery's a big deal!" Mineta suddenly cared.

"Will his injuries be completely healed?" Iida asked-slash-yelled.

"Don't worry about that. Just leave it to me!" Recovery girl insisted.

"Kero..."

The door slammed shut.

"What shall we do now?" Iida asked to his classmates.

"My match with Yaoyorozu is coming up," Uraraka frowned, "Recovery Girl said she needed to do surgery. I want to stay."

"I also feel guilty, but I must prepare for my battle with Kaminari-kun," Iida added.

"I'll stay," Himiko stepped up to the plate. "You guys go on without me."

"Are you sure?" Ochako asked.

"Mm!"

"I'll stay, too! It's my duty as an enlightened man!" Mineta saluted to no one.

"No, you're coming with us, kero. We don't trust you alone with Himiko-chan," Asui wrapped her tongue around his waist and dragged him away.

"But, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but, but-!" Mineta protested tearfully.

Himiko giggled at the retreating sounds of Mineta's crying. She stood by the door, swaying side to side and admiring the cutesy sign that read "Recovery Girls Temporary Nurse's Office." She heard Yagi and Midoriya's insisting mumbling from within the office. Midoriya sounded upset and rightfully so. He must've been frustrated with his loss. With himself. To Himiko, however, she felt something entirely different. She had gained something from him. She was giddy and her cheeks were warm.

After long minutes of wet smooching noises, Recovery Girl and Yagi exited.

"Recovery Girl, Yagi-san," Himiko stepped forward with her hands clasped, "How'd it go?"

"Oh, Toga-chan, you were waiting," Recovery Girl nodded positively, "Everything is just fine. I healed him enough to allow him to walk, but he's resting now. Regeneration of the anterior legs takes a lot of stamina. I say he'll be up in twenty minutes or so."

"I see." Himiko frowned and requested, "Could I- could I maybe go in and see him? I know he's sleeping, but-"

"Of course," Yagi half-smiled. "Go right ahead, Toga-san."

"Just don't wake him, please," Recovery Girl reminded.

The adults took their leave. Himiko smiled, "I won't. Thank you, Recovery Girl, Yagi-san."

The blonde propped open the infirmary door and entered on her tip toes. Ever-so-carefully, she found herself a folding chair, positioning it beside his medical bed before taking a seat. The rise and fall of his chest was shallow and his mouth-breathing snores were cute. She clenched and unclenched her jaw. She conveyed her sentiments in a sweet, saccharine softness.

"I know it's kinda weird to talk to you like this. Actually, it's super weird. But I couldn't wait. ... I'm happy. You took my advice and used it to help Todoroki-kun, didn't you?" Himiko thought back on his words.

'It's your power, isn't it?'

"Your kindness knows no bounds. During your match, a lot of people in the audience said you were being reckless, but I don't think they're right. I think, out of everyone ever, you've shown me what it means to be a hero the most. I'm grateful for that. Like we promised, we're going to move forward... together..."

She nudged her hand underneath his crooked one. Midoriya's hands were always cold, yet firm and meaningful. Without thinking, she lifted it. She needed to keep it warm. His hands were meant to radiate warmth.

"Izuku-kun..."

She sandwiched and nestled the hand in between hers. Tenderly, she leaned, pressing her forehead against his fingertips. She bowed, overflowing with simplistic gratitude and thoughts of him.

"I'm so glad... I'm so glad I met you. I'm so glad you're here with me."

Himiko gently set his hand back in place. She admired his state. Even with Recovery Girl's miraculous tending, he remained battered and bruised. Todoroki really went all out. Izuku was ... hurt. Gnarled. She took a mental picture as a bodiless keepsake.

Unsatisfying.

'I can sense it, you know.'

A part of her stirred that'd been seemingly left unquenched.

'It's ingrained in your body and soul.'

She decided, right? She decided to learn more about herself. Even the repulsive sides to her. Even the sides she'd been suppressing. It couldn't hurt, right? She trained a lot to control these feelings - this bloodlust. This love for blood that imbued every fiber of her being.

What arose was an eerie temptation. An iniquity that was as equally enthralling as it was captivating. How unsightly... how beautiful... and natural. It encompassed her.

Izuku was so helpless there. He looked like a picturesque, abnormal serenity. The ruptured blood vessels beneath the surface of his pale skin swelled and practically teased her. They were tempting, willing, able for coercion. Her mouth went dry and she swallowed nothing. Unquenched and unfair.

What would it take to see his blood? She loved her friends. She loved blood. Maybe Izuku loved blood, too. He always offered it to her with such kindness. Could she see his blood if she scratched him? Cut him? Bit him? She was sure he'd let her. He was so very kind. One swift motion was all it would take. He wanted to bleed. She could remedy that so easily and no one would ever notice. In his state, his peers would shrug it off, claiming Recovery Girl missed a spot.

Himiko wondered how marvelous she would feel. How she'd react to seeing that near-boiling hot liquid ooze and usher out of his body - its supposed rightful place. She knew otherwise. His blood could start as a rivulet, then it could go just a little further. Making taking it too far. Her head started spinning at the imagery. These urges were improper - taboo. But she kept going. Kept fantasizing. Kept wanting to know more about herself. She wondered what the pleasures of blood loss felt like. A dragging loss of logical thought only to be replaced with human desperation. That lagging loss of consciousness. That addictive growing puddle that she'd yearn to taste and bathe in a pubertal restitution that didn't reside in her inexperienced vocabulary.

'Yes...'

Ecstasy.

She blushed. Her heart violently throbbed and her belly somersaulted.

Her hand raised.

'Yes... yes... how lovely.'

Yes, what a lovely sight that would be.

Crack.

"Toga?"

"Todoroki-kun?" Himiko pulled her hand back, aghast. Her classmate didn't seem to notice her immorality. Whatever just occurred was quickly sewn up. She spoke without rousing suspicion and wondered how she could react so normally. She smiled, "You spooked me! Wh- what are you doing here?"

Todoroki studiously turned to Midoriya. Himiko understood. Midoriya and Todoroki's battle had meaning behind it. Anyone who had grown to know the two could put the pieces of their puzzle together. Midoriya was amazing and Todoroki was amazing. Together, they would grow to become amazing, galant heroes. All of them. All the students in class 1-A. All the ones who dreamed and were destined to become heroes since birth. All of them ... except...

'You... you think you belong here... with these so-called heroes and their fragile sense of justice.'

Stop.

The conscious boy found a seat and placed it beside her. Himiko felt suffocated, yet they breathed in sync. He must've had a lot on his mind too, Himiko concluded.

"He's asleep."

Himiko replied to his obvious point out. "Uh, yep, he is. The surgery was a success, thank goodness."

Todoroki regraded his left. "It was different. My match with Midoriya was reckless because he acted recklessly. I'm not sure when the shift occurred, but he didn't look at me as the son of Endeavor. In the moment, my resolve strengthened and I sought to fight without inhibition. Midoriya imparted that to me. He took everything I'd been carrying and destroyed it. He didn't fight me to win." He tilted his head, "You and Midoriya are alike."

"I'm..." Himiko squeezed her fists tighter. No, he's wrong. Dead wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong! She needed to calm down. It wasn't about her right now.

Todoroki was also a dear friend. He came to Midoriya's bedside for a reason. He was searching for answers. She might not have known them, but that didn't mean she couldn't help in some way. She finally relaxed, "Midoriya-kun and I are different. Sometimes, I have moments when I become competitive, but I lose sight. I don't understand why I get like that in the first place. It's like a switch I can't control. It's frustrating because I feel like everyone around me fights for something that's important to them. How about you? Midoriya fought for you. What are you fighting for, Todoroki-kun?"

"No. That's not right. It's not a matter of what..." Todoroki replied unexpectedly, "It never has been."

"Huh?"

"It's changed. It's becoming clearer. Toga, Midoriya, Yaoyorozu. For your sakes. For mine as well. I'm going to give it my best."

It was his most and least favorite part.

A momentous achievement. Another success to his cause. The exposure of a faux pas that'd been preserved by the filth of a sub-par society. The flashy, newfangled minds of fame-hungry - dare he call them - heroes deserved this atonement. How disgusting and slimy they were. And they shared this lifetime with him. An unheard voice that spoke truth, and the empty promises for those who lived a lie they wanted to live. "Want" was such an ugly, invented concept.

Then, after he disposed of that want, they would bleed. Bloodshed was their release - their exposure that trickled in the destined realities of death. The only realness they'd experience. They deserved it. It was his most and least favorite part. Blood was real - touchable, tangible. Blood had spoken so many words while dripping an unspoken meaning the disingenuous could never understand.

"Fame... Money... They're all calling themselves heroes... But you bastards aren't heroes... Just him... The only one I'll let kill me... is All Might."

He licked it off his katana.

"You guys haven't even noticed this warped society covered by hypocrisy and vanity. To all who are called heroes... I will make you notice."

It was his most and least favorite part. The bloody demise of fake heroes, when only the righteous deserved to bleed.

"Deku-kun!" Uraraka cheerfully greeted.

"Midoriya-chan, your surgery went well?" Asui asked.

"Yeah," Midoriya nodded and turned to Uraraka, guilty. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for your match, Uraraka-san. I was looking forward to it."

Uraraka's cheeks were rosy as she animatedly replied, "No, don't worry about that! I lost, unfortunately. Yaoyorozu's quirk is just too versatile for me. I was so frustrated." She punched the air, then looked at Midoriya, concerned, "Shouldn't you be resting, anyway?"

Midoriya took a seat beside Himiko, "I want to properly watch the efforts of everyone who wants to become a hero."

Himiko couldn't look at him.

The semifinals went off without a hitch. Match one was quick, as Yaoyorozu's reaction time couldn't equate to Todoroki's assertion. Oddly enough, they appeared to be holding back on one another. Maybe it was due to their shared recommendation status or maybe they shared a history pre-U.A.? Internal gossip aside, Himiko listened to her classmates explain how certain quirks were simply a poor match up, case in point Uraraka versus Kirishima, Bakugou versus Tokoyami, and Iida versus Kaminari.

Speaking of, Iida and Bakugou's skirmish lasted much longer. Iida landed commendable hits, but his abilities lacked the deft that could withstand the explosion user's merciless attacks. Himiko noticed Bakugou was much harsher these last two rounds. His ardent rush was always incredible but it felt disconnected. Maybe this was his way of blowing off steam after their episode. Maybe he recognized an unfinished business within himself. She pledged to keep her distance for a while.

"Poor Iida-kun," Uraraka's lips thinned.

"He really gave it his all. He's amazing," Kirishima added.

Present Mic announced the finalists, "With this, the final match will be between Todoroki and Bakugou!"

"Midoriya-kun, Toga-kun, Uraraka-kun," Iida appeared minutes later. "Could you perchance follow me for a minute?"

Himiko frowned. Poor Iida was right. He wasn't well. The girl never took Iida for a sore loser, but she supposed she hadn't known him long enough to fully understand him.

Once in privacy, Iida went sullen. With his hands at his sides, he unfolded, "This is sudden, but I must leave early. A villain got my older brother."

"Your brother?" Uraraka's mouth dropped.

"A villain?" Himiko gasped.

"You mean Ingenium?" Midoriya asked.

"Yes," Iida answered.

"Is he all right?" Uraraka questioned.

"I'm afraid the details are unclear. I wanted to inform you three so you can relay my message to our superiors. I'm going to go visit him directly to see."

"All alone?" Uraraka sucked on her bottom lip.

"Well, yes."

"Right now?"

"Yes again. The incident happened near his agency in Hosu. I plan on taking the next available train," Iida announced his departure with a bow and a nod. Not once did his hands move. "Excuse me."

As quickly as he spun, he stopped in place. After taking a tall step forward, Ochako gripped onto the hem of his gym shirt as if her life depended on it. The group of friends paused.

Iida raised a pointed brow, "Uraraka-kun? Is something the matter?"

"Iida-kun, sorry," Uraraka expressed, "I'm coming with you."

With fake assurance, Iida replied, "That is kind of you to offer, but there's no need."

"It wasn't an offer," She answered in a shaken whisper. She repeated louder, "It wasn't an offer. I'm... I'm coming with you."

"I apologize for my brazenness, but I assure you I'm just fine on my own."

The girl's mouth shook, "Iida-kun, you're amazing. Deku-kun and Miko-chan, too. You're all so amazing. After my match with Kirishima-kun, I realized heroes don't put their feelings by the wayside. I get embarrassed because I constantly find myself relying on you three. I might come across as selfish saying this, but I want to become somebody you can all rely on!"

"Uraraka-kun..."

"That's why, when I'm seeing you like this, I can't stand idly by. Someone I care about is hurting and I can't just ignore that."

"It's..."

"Please. At the very least, please let me walk with you to the station," Uraraka begged and her lip quivered quicker. "Please."

...

Iida was the type of person who kept pleasant conversation on retainer. That was a staple of his. In his silence, Ochako read him like a book. But she didn't know how to help. Her company couldn't have been enough. During their medium-paced walk to Shizuoka station, she only did what she did best. The girl unmuted their silence with positive reinforcements, random ramblings, and bubbly personality traits.

"Man," Ochako erratically rubbed the back of her head, embarrassed, "I was kind of over-the-top back there, huh, Iida-kun? Sorry about that. I get inspired easily."

Iida didn't reply.

"To be honest, when you said your brother was injured, my heart sank. Family is irreplaceable. My Mom and Dad are the most important people to me. If something were to happen to them - if a villain hurt them, I'm not sure how I would handle it. I'd be a mess. I'd probably think about doing something stupid."

"... Yeah."

Ochako turned to look at her friend. She felt his volatility and his attraction towards the dreaded word a hero should never pursue.

Revenge.

No, not anymore, Ochako vowed. She wouldn't ignore it.

They were alone. Oh dear god, they were alone. No one was around.

Himiko was scared. The atmosphere from before was so fresh in her mind. She seemed okay right now. Those urges deserted her after Todoroki showed up. But how long would that last? How long would that truly last? She didn't trust herself nor the current situation she was in.

"Uraraka-san is amazing," Midoriya lowered his once-waving hand. "I was putting everything I had into the sports festival that I overlooked Iida-kun's stress. Uraraka-san not only noticed it, but followed through without second guessing herself."

"Uh huh."

"I can physically feel everyone's strong emotions about not wanting to give in. About wanting to better themselves. Finding out what really makes a hero. Everyone is amazing."

Himiko blurted out, "Amazing this... Amazing that..."

"Eh?"

"I'm constantly hearing that word thrown around. Even I use it a lot. What even makes a person amazing?"

"What makes a person amazing, you say?" Midoriya thought for a millisecond, then answered, "You're right. People use it all the time, so I guess I never put a lot of thought into that word. I guess... I want... to say... their spirit! If someone has a strong spirit that takes them above and beyond, then I find them amazing. That's why I admire All Might so much."

Toga felt even more detached by the word. She frowned, "Uh huh."

"W-w-well, uh, um. S- should we get back to class? T-Todoroki-kun and Kacchan's m-match is starting soon, so..." Midoriya squirmed and blushed as if he realized something irrelevant.

The blonde smiled at his antsy friend, "I need to use the bathroom. I'll be right behind you!"

"O-o-okay!"

Midoriya walked away like a robot. Himiko, used to his strange habits by now, made her way to the ladies room. Without a need to relieve herself, she stood in front of the mirror. She cranked open the faucet to the coldest temperature possible. She collected the flowing liquid with cupped palms and splashed her face. She concentrated on the tightening sensation against her loose pores. The present moment was what mattered now. She opened her eyes, looked into the mirror.

"Get it together, Himiko," Toga reprimanded herself. "This isn't anything new or different. It just caught you off guard. I trained hard to quiet my mind. Relax. Focus. It was a slip. A one time thing... A one time thing. I'm still me. Mom... Sensei... Everyone... I can't let them down."

Her resting heartbeat returned. She felt much better. She exited the bathroom.

Then, she tripped on something small & solid, and landed face down on the floor.

"Ouch."

"My goodness. You should be more cognizant of your surroundings, my dear. A graceless woman is unbecoming."

Toga's head spun.

"Are you all right, young lady?"

A half-wrinkled, unfamiliar, masculine hand ushered itself to her. With her equilibrium off-kilter, she accepted the gesture without second thought. He lifted her halfway. The man's strength wielded protuberance when he guided her to semi-stabilization.

The girl kneeled and her neck hinged.

Her savior was a tall and broad-shouldered gentleman, garbed in a murky, recently starched suit. Thanks to her mentor's extravagant lifestyle, Himiko dipped into the world of luxury. Her experience revered him as a dignified man of stature and wealth. He was bent over in a polite poise and acknowledged her in a concoction of cavalier, foreboding, and benevolence. She felt safe and terrified all at the same time.

Making her way up to his face, she found he was incredibly handsome. As meticulous as his dress, he was well groomed and presentable. He carried a striking maturity - one that was faithful to a man of old age and wisdom. His veneered, double-layered smile didn't reach his eyes. Those were the eyes that had seen both the beauty and ugly of the world. When he looked at her, Himiko's self worth said he saw her as both.

"I'm fine," Himiko squeaked out with a flush to her cheeks. She'd been staring at him far too long.

"You're bleeding."

Himiko looked down at her raised knee. The navy fabric was torn and the liquid beaded its way out of the paper-thin scratches. It was enough to seep into the edges of the tears. She gasped in panic and rolled up the pant leg to prevent further staining. Blood was the last thing she wanted to look at. Suddenly, her companion reached out. With the hand that hadn't helped her up, he pressed against the injury. He whistled the melody of a songbird. The pleasant tune manifested a pleasant warmth. When he pulled his hand away, Himiko saw the injury was gone.

"Is that your quirk?" Himiko asked, then chastised herself for such a dumb question. This man's presence overloaded her.

"I'm afraid it's one that regenerates minute injuries. In this instance, I'm glad it posed use." He smiled wider and disclaimed, "I'm not a certified hero, by the way."

Himiko took the hint. She straightened and dusted herself off. This man might've seemed overwhelming at first, but he was really nice. He was kind of like her. She giggled and greeted, "I won't tell! Thank you for helping me. I'm Toga Himiko. I wish there was something I could do to return the favor. Um..."

"Nonsense," He avoided his own introduction. "To extend my help to a U.A. heroics student is more than enough, especially after putting on such a performance. This Sports Festival has been entertaining thus far. I'm impressed. In fact, you all are marvelous. Exactly as I anticipated ... from U.A. students."

"Thank you, sir."

"It must be a dream come true, being here. Schools such as U.A. are the touchstones of the greater good. An abundance of children wish they were in your shoes right now. It must be in the tens of thousands, as a matter of fact. I feel sorry for their crushed dreams."

Himiko started getting uncomfortable.

"I saw you out there. You possess a transformation quirk that is generated by blood ingestion. Quirks like those are exposed to much discrimination."

Himiko cringed.

"It must've been hard on you."

Himiko's mouth dropped. "Wow. H-how did you know that, sir?"

"Call it less of an inclination and more of a humanistic veracity."

A long pause forced Himiko to answer truthfully, "I was surprised you knew that. It was ... hard. A lot of people said I was going to become a villain. It was like I never had a choice."

"Is my judgement truly that surprising? Less so than you being here, at U.A."

"Sir?"

"-But you made it. I find your kind fascinating. Toga Himiko: a hero forged in the fires of adversity. Those types become strong, you know. Stronger than you could ever imagine."

She bit her lip. She didn't know where he was going with this.

He continued, "It's not good, Toga Himiko. It's troublesome. Very, very troublesome. How often do I see these children traverse the ideology of what constitutes a hero and villain. Do you even know their differences? Their similarities? A villain is defined as a character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot. A hero is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. When the perspectives change, don't those titles change?"

"I don't get what you're saying." Himiko quavered. The soles of her shoes felt glued to the floor.

"You want to change it, yes? This world, the people, their views. Your choices."

"Y-yes."

"And did you think this mindset of yours was groundbreaking? Original? Do you really think your feats alone will change the course of the world's fate? It's idealized nonsense. Humans live by their stories. Those stories are propagated and groomed into future generations. You're neither the first nor will you the last. But they all turn out just... the... same."

"B-but..."

"Go on. I'm open to whatever is on your mind."

Himiko was almost hyperventilating at this point. This man was so kind, yet firm and direct. He looked right at her. She couldn't get a read on him. Himiko bit her lip and forced out her words, "But, I did those things already! There are people who do care about me. I've been able to change the way those people see me already. If I don't at least try... if no one tries, then it'll remain that way. Somebody has to try. We all have to keep ... trying, don't you think?" She almost lost her voice at the end.

'Everyone fights for something.'

"Yes, Toga Himiko. Marvelous. That's precisely it. Yes, that is such a winsome, utopian answer. It is only the beginning of 'your' story. Grow. Continue to forge your power."

Himiko exhaled. He seemed pleased with her response. Was he swayed by her so easily? Or was he the one inadvertently swaying her? She replied, "I'll-"

Ding, ding, ding.

"It appears my time is up," The man retrieved a gold-filled pocket watch that produced the vintage chiming. He pushed in the lever with his thumb and the alarm stopped. "I must cut our conversation short. You see, I run on a tight, strict schedule, and I have a few rounds to make. But I'd like us to part with a question.

"Long before the dawn of quirks, there was an argument that existed. It was an ancient debate that scratched the minds of the world's greatest philosophers. I leave with you this ... Are people born naturally good or bad?"

Then, he turned. For someone who claimed to be in a hurry, his mundane steps were weighty. He almost looked like the ending scene to a movie. When he was out of sight, the credits rolled and Himiko exhaled shakily. It was the first time she didn't have to manually breathe. It was a sweet sorrow for him to leave. He was like a dear friend you couldn't trust but couldn't abandon, for they only spoke half truths yet always offered a helping hand.

"Ahhh!"

Without warning, an unimaginable pain came from nowhere. Himiko screamed louder and collapsed. When she looked down, she found her once-wounded knee slashed open and significantly worsened.

What the hell happened? She thought that man had healed her. It hurt. The pain it created was so devastating. The blood wouldn't stop pouring out of her. The pool collected and grew in size. She wanted it to go away. She wanted to curl herself into a ball and dwell in the pain. Maybe it would all go away if she just closed her eyes and drifted ...

Her breathing slowed. She understood true weakness. The blood continued to pour. It hurt. It wouldn't stop. If it kept going like this... she was going... to die... She didn't feel any sense of desperation or yearning. Just simple, basic loss. An imminent death by blood loss. How amazingly ironic. A death that was fitting for someone like her.

'So this is ... what it feels like.'

A blinding flash of light brought her back to a familiar space. When her vision cleared, she was standing in front of the bathroom mirror. Her clothes were soaked in a cold sweat. She panted. An apprehended pain remained on her kneecap, but there wasn't anything there. She placed the back of her hand against her hot forehead.

'An illusion? A daydream? Am I going insane...?'

She gasped.

'No, someone's quirk!'

She made a dash out of the bathroom in search of someone - anyone. She looked to her left and right.

No one was there.

"All of the first-year events for this year's U.A. Sports Festival have been completed," Midnight struck a pose, "And now, we will begin the award ceremony!"

It went without saying. The triumphing light show of sound and smoke was cheesy. That type of thing was absolutely perfect for All Might. His brand was built on cheesy. Toshinori looked down at the ant-sized audience and awaited his entry. The event staff were organized with everything except his entrance. That was probably because they thought the great All Might knew what to do. The superhero All Might probably knew, but the everyday person Toshinori Yagi - not so much.

"In addition to Yaoyorozu-chan, there is also Iida-kun in third place, but he left early for family reasons. Thank you for your understanding! ... Now, we will award the metals! The presentation of the metals will, of course, be by this man-"

This must be it!

"Ha! Hahahaha!"

Tally-ho!

A rambunctious reaction from the crowd, a dramatic leap behind a sunny forecast, and...

"Our very own hero, All Might!" "I have brought the medals here!"

Perfect landing! And... he messed up!

"I talked over you..." Midnight held back her embarrassment and laughter. She held the metals awkwardly and sweat-dropped, "Now then, All Might, please present the medals, starting with third place."

The gigantic man collected the three trophies to maintain face. He approached Yaoyorozu first. The ribbon that held the bronze award went up and over her head. He proclaimed, "Young Yaoyorozu, congratulations. You are quite an intellectual lady."

"All Might-sensei. You are far too kind," The teenager smiled. Tears of achievement glittered the corners of her eyes.

Hugging wasn't an overtly accepting part of Japanese culture, but All Might leaned forward to give his student the gesture anyways. He patted her back, "Continue working hard to think quickly and creatively. I hope to see you in first place next semester."

"I look forward to what your guidance brings to all of us, All Might-sensei. Thank you for everything thus far. I promise I'll work hard to meet your expectations," Yaoyorozu retuned the gesture, then bowed as they broke apart.

"You already have. Now, climb even higher!"

'Yaoyorozu's grace is that of a true heroine. She came face-to-face with evil at a very a young age. Let that not be a hinderance, but a stepping stone for the greater good.'

He worked his way to the far-left and presented the award for the runner-up, "Young Bakugou, congratulations."

The boy shook in a readable anger. He refused to look at All Might, but accepted the award. He looked down at the silver and spoke through his teeth, "Second place... again..."

"Young Bakugou, second place is still an outstanding achievement. Your placement might not have been what you set your sights on, but it's in the right direction."

"Shut up, All Might. It pisses me off..."

"Hm?"

He shook harder, "If I can't... make it to the top. If scum... keeps getting in my way..."

'He's not a happy camper...'

"Young Bakugou, there is no such thing as a perfect hero. However, the admired hero is known for their perfect balance of character and power."

Bakugou finally looked at him.

All Might, for one of the hand-full of times in his life, didn't feel like an icon, but a teacher. "You accepted the award I just gave you because a part of you recognizes that. Never turn your back on that recognition. Carry it as a wound, if you must. Build first, then aim."

'Young Bakugou, I commend your vitality. Your pride is your greatest strength and weakness. When you've come to terms with that, you'll break through the wall you're facing right now. Grow not as the strongest, nor as the most powerful, but as the most heroic.'

Instead or reaching for the award, Bakugou covered the scar on his ear cartilage. He frowned deeper and growled. All Might decided it was in everybody's best interest to not hug him. The giant man moved on.

"Now then, Todoroki, my boy! Victory smiles upon you today!" All Might declared, "Congratulations!"

Todoroki leaned forward with his eyes closed, prepared to accept the gold. All Might obliged with a wide smile of delight, "First place is for one who rises to the occasion. One who doesn't follow but stands alongside the meaning 'Plus Ultra!' You earned it."

"Thank you, All Might."

"You've come a long way. After your match with Young Midoriya, I noticed a drastic change in you."

"Coming to U.A. allowed me to open up to others. In turn I uncovered their hardships. What they were able to achieve through their free will helped me understand. I'll build my own life without the commands of others. I will become my own hero. When I concentrate on those I must stand and fight for, I feel fulfilled. I can finally start to see what's in front of me. There's a lot I still must settle."

All Might grinned wider and hugged him, "It seems you also suffered hardship. Many of us have. I won't ask for the details, but I can see the look on your face has changed. You realized something important to you. Your success from today hinged on this realization, and you accomplished that. I'm proud of you."

'That's exactly it, Young Todoroki. There will be times as a hero where you'll experience mental and physical distress. Allowing your spirit to collapse into discord is what separates a novice from a pro. I look forward to seeing what your development, and the honesty within yourself, brings.'

"Plus, Bakugou irritated me." He added straight-faced.

"Hah!?" Bakugou exploded, "You wanna go, Two Tone? I don't give a fuck where we are, I'll take you on right now!"

'... That might be a little too honest, Young Todoroki.'

"Now now, you two-" Toshinori sweat-dropped and announced over Bakugou's obnoxious screeching. "Well, uh, they were the winners this time! But listen here! Anyone here could've ended up on these podiums. It's just as you saw-"

"Don't fucking ignore me!" Bakugou cussed at his prior competitor.

All Might spoke louder, "... Uh, ahem. Competing! Improving each other!"

"Are you deaf? What the fuck did I just sa-" Midnight stepped over and knocked Bakugou unconscious.

'You're a lifesaver, Midnight.'

"... And climbing even further! The next generation of heroes is definitely sprouting!" Toshinori pointed to the sky, "So, I have just one more thing to say! Everyone, please say it with me! Ready, go-"

"Plus Ultra!" "Thanks for your hard work!"

And... he messed up... again! He really wasn't cut out for this.

"Ahh, another Sports Festival in the books. No one in particular stood out to me. Same old same old. What'd you think?" The sidekick asked his superior with knowing the answer. It'd been a repeat of last year and the year before, he was sure. He stretched dramatically and yawned.

The heroine halted and he practically collided into her. She answered, "The gravity nullifier."

"You- you actually ...?" He stumbled.

"You have the data." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yeah, right. Let's see," He clumsily scrolled through his digital spreadsheet until it landed on the student in question. He wasn't prepared for this; it'd been years since his boss expressed interest. He found her and opened the file, "Here we go. Uraraka Ochako?"

"I want her. Do whatever it takes. Do I make myself clear?"

"Absolutely, Melancholy."

"See to it once we return."

"Good work," Aizawa curtly praised. "So there will be no school tomorrow or the day after. I'm sure pro heroes who watch the sports festival will want to recruit you, but we'll consolidate everything and announce it when you get back. So rest well, and look forward to that."

"Yes, sir!"

The classroom of zombie-like and stupefied students was dismissed. Himiko was the first to collect her things so she could make her way to her private transfer. It had been one of the longest days for her, topping the U.S.J. Incident even. Her mind was all over the place and in desperate need of a shut off. There were two days dedicated her mental and physical health, and she was going to take advantage of them.

Himiko hugged her backpack and hopped into the vehicle. Her teacher and mother were already seated and appeared to have been for quite some time. She blinked for a second at her parent, then remembered she had been an attendee.

"Welcome back to reality, sweetie," Her mother laughed heavenly. "I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. You were like a super star out there! Your efforts are paying off. Are you tired?"

The teenager blushed and squirmed, "Hi, Mom. I'm really, really exhausted. I can't wait for a hot bath and sleep."

"Get a good night's rest. Our training resumes tomorrow," Nemuri added.

"Ehh? But Aizawa-sensei said we won't have school for two days," Himiko groaned.

"School is school and training is training. We need to make use of your time while we can. Plus, there's something important I've been meaning to tell you. Prepare yourself for a worthwhile day."

"Nemuri. Don't you think you're pushing her a bit too far? Let her relax for a change," Hitomi chastised.

"Oh, Hitomi my darling," Nemuri replied in an animus merriment, "You know I hate disobedience. Keep it up and you'll be punished."

Hitomi rolled her eyes. Himiko's eyebrows scrunched. Kayama's sadistic side wasn't unusual when she was challenged, but something seemed different. The limousine's engines turned on and started to drive away from the school. The engine's mild humming and the realization of coming home left Himiko's eyes heavy. She moved to sit next to her Mom, "It's okay, Mom. I can handle it. Can I sleep on your lap?"

Hitomi's eyes softened, "Of course, honey. I'll wake you when we're home."

She rested her head atop her mother's lap. The familiar, manicured, thin digits gently removed her hair tie and swept through her loose strands. It was as if her mother disentangled the knots that held her troubles and worries. Himiko sighed blissfully. There was a peacefulness when Himiko was with her mother and mentor like this. It was like everything felt right in the world. She loved and she was loved.

"I love you Mom... I love you Sensei..." Himiko spoke from the heart.

"We love you too, Himiko. So very much. Go to sleep before Nemuri uses her quirk on you," Hitomi joked sweetly.

"You know... it doesn't... work as well... on girls," Himiko giggled.

The Sports Festival was a day designed to develop the students in more ways than one. It set their teeth on edge, but it was a day where they have no choice but to feel it. Himiko wondered about her classmates and friends - the people whom she grew fond of. The slight changes she thought she'd seen in them being executed in their battles shined brightly today. She wanted to grow, too. She wanted to be just like the ones she was fond of. Ever since fighting Bakugou, she wanted to stand firm. She wanted to aim for something and put her all into it. She wanted to obtain what she lacked. The light within her also shone bright today. As did the darkness.

Her reaction to Midoriya's injuries was scary. That daydream she had was scary. She wasn't sure if what happened involved someone's quirk or not. Vlad King told her in the past that sitting around and mulling over such things wasted time. She wanted to keep the pace she had. She wanted to push toward the light and push away the darkness inside of her.

And she believed she could. As long as she had love, her mother, her mentor, her friends. As long as she had love, that dazzling light in the bleak darkness would never lose its flicker.

But, unbeknownst to Himiko, there were different kinds of love. All different kinds.

She would someday come to learn that.

The red rays of twilight leaked into an unused U.A. classroom. What it was once used for didn't matter to Toshinori. The phrase "a watching pot never boils" applied to his restless staring at the wall clock. The ticks and tocks dragged on and on.

Finally, the dial moved to its rightful place. Toshinori called his long-time friend still assigned to speed-dial. After a single ring, he answered promptly, and their professional back and forth started.

"Tsukauchi-kun," Toshinori greeted.

"All Might. Thanks for calling. How did your interviews go?" His friend asked.

"I wouldn't call them interviews, but they were inconclusive. All of their homeroom teachers practically said the same thing."

"Even Aizawa and Vlad King?" His friend questioned skeptically.

"Yes. It also came as a surprise to me. I may be going off topic, but how are things progressing with the League of Villains?"

"It's not off topic; rather, it's tied in. We've been reviewing live security footage of the arena, and..."

"And?"

"We have a reason to suspect He made it in."

"What?"

"And it appears He made contact with them. As soon as security caught on and pursued, He manifested in an entirely different location on the cams. It seemed to be the recurring theme."

"That's impossible. He should be incapacitated."

"It's only suspect as this point. I plan on keeping you updated as we make progress. This wouldn't have been possible without your earlier report. After further review, you hit the nail on the head, but it's turning out to be more complex than we expected. We're in the process of launching an ancillary investigation as we speak. I'd like you to come with me as soon as I obtain approval from the higher ups."

"I'll do what I can."

"Thank you, All Might. I know this type of fieldwork isn't fit for you, but it helps. What we're seeing right now might just be the calm before the storm."

"Then, let's consider this good practice."

"Roger that."

Something was definitely off with Midnight.

At the break of dawn, Himiko and her mentor traveled to Gym Gamma without conversation. The academy grounds were mostly-vacant with a workaholic hero here and there. Kayama had packed a large duffel bag containing who-knows-what and kept it close to her person. It looked incongruous against her sensual hero costume.

Midnight stopped inside the gym and Himiko took a few extra paces forward. She turned to face her. The older woman stared down at her pupil before dropping the grandiose bag. Her cuffed wrists planted on each hip.

"Himiko, how did you feel towards yourself when you didn't make first place on any of the Sports Festival events?" Midnight inquired.

That was a different question that caught Himiko off guard. She looked at the ceiling and put her index finger up to her bottom lip. After a few beats, she came to the conclusion that she didn't really know the answer to that. She hadn't really... felt anything towards herself. "Um..."

"Approximately three years ago, we stood together in this room and I proposed an agreement. I asked to explore your quirk in exchange for your intention to become a hero. Do you remember that?"

"Yep. I do," Himiko gulped.

"You accepted, but proceeded to say you were unsure of yourself. I promised you we'd find that out together. Do you remember that?"

"I do."

"I didn't keep my promise."

"Huh?"

"Miko-chan," Midnight frowned, "I threw you into a lion's den without telling you what lions ate."

'Another animal metaphor.' Himiko thought to herself.

Kayama's eyes narrowed, "I want to continue our progress as your mentor, but there's an obstacle. It's hampering you."

"Sensei, you're going to stop teaching me?" Himiko suddenly understood where she was getting at.

"Yes."

Himiko started to panic. She raised and shook her hands in disagreement, "What? I don't want that at all!"

"It's for the best."

"Don't I have a say in this?"

It was like a bombshell was dropped on her. There was still so much to explore and uncover. Her shortened transformation time, her physiological response to Midoriya's pain, her terrifying daydream, her journey to find her "it." She couldn't do these by herself. She needed Midnight.

"It will be temporary pending a new promise. When the time is right and we've fulfilled both ends, we can resume the mentorship."

"No..." Himiko frowned.

"Oh come now. Turn that frown upside down. I'll still be around," Midnight lightened the mood. "I live with you, so obviously! Unless I kick you to the curb - just kidding."

"That's not funny! How can you be so okay with this?" Himiko's lip quivered.

"Can I tell you the promise I'd like us to make?" Kayama pushed.

"No. I don't wanna hear it," Himiko crossed her arms and pouted.

"Oh no you don't. Two can play that game," Midnight removed her bullwhip from her utility belt. The trail of the whip went straight into the air, looped, then cracked on the floor near Himiko's foot.

"Wh- ahh!" Himiko jumped away instinctively. Midnight attacked again and the blonde repeated, "You can tell me!" Crack. "Stop!" Crack. "Stop it and tell me!" Crack. "I'll listen!" Crack. "Please?" Crack. "Pretty please, Pretty Kayama-sama?"

Midnight grinned sadistically, "There it is." She put the tool away. "Miko-chan, our promise to each other is this: we're going to move forward with earnest intent."

"Earnest... intent?"

"You're in the heroics department to become a well-versed hero, but you're not applying it with zeal compared to your classmates. You have motivation, but it's one that's undefined without direction. That's inhibiting you. It's time to change our angle. Going from intent to earnest intent!

"From here on out, everything you do, you're going to do it with sincerity. You're going to act upon as if you've always dreamed of becoming the number one hero. Nothing more, nothing less. I want to see if this triggers some kind of response inside of you. If you figure out what you really want to do after this trial, then your end of the promise is fulfilled. Hero or not. No holes barred. Zero judgement."

"And what about you?" Himiko asked, still on the defense.

"I'm going to concentrate on learning the science of mentorship with earnest intent! Not seeing you as family, but as a student, and sustaining that separation when it's warranted."

Himiko paused, not believing the words that just came out of Kayama's mouth. "You..."

"Hm?"

"You... you think of me as... family?"

"From the moment you were born," Kayama breathed.

"Really?"

"Really, really. And now, I'm going to change that mentality!"

"Wait! This is a lot to take in! Let me at least react to what I just found out!" Himiko freaked out in a disarray of emotions.

"Hurry, because I want to start our training," Kayama replied boorishly.

"I can't hurry up... What the heck. I- I mean, you see me as family! Family! I always looked up to you. You're so cool... you were always there for Mom and me and so... I'm..." Himiko hiccuped. "You never let me down and you're always looking out for me, so I promise. I promise I'll work hard to apply and connect with this knockoff dream. ... But ... Thank you for being in my life, Sensei."

"It will be my pleasure until the day I die, Himiko. Thank you for being born." Midnight squatted down and opened up the duffel bag. "And so, now that that's over with, let's get into our final training session. We're going to focus on quirk elaboration." She removed a bundle of puffy white fabric and threw it at Himiko. "Catch."

Himiko caught the fluffy material awkwardly. She propped it open with both hands eyed it up and down. It was a loose garment - a robe, to be precise. She lowered it and asked, "Quirk elaboration? What else is there to explore? What's this for?"

"Miko-chan. Strip."

A Girl's Battle - End